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“the world depended on them. they depended on each other.”

By American Girl in Italy on July 20, 2009 at 3:01 PM in Current Affairs

(bumped up from the weekend )

I received this story via email, from my friend Kristi, and wanted to pass it on. It is a moving story.

Memorial Service: you’re invited.

We’re hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.

I would like a nationwide memorial service for Darrell “Shifty” Powers.

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you’ve seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.

I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn’t know who he was at the time.

I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the “Screaming Eagle”, the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he’d been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st.

I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said “Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . ” at which point my heart skipped.

At that point, again, very humbly, he said “I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?” At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was.

At that point he said “I also made a second jump into Holland , into Arnhem .”

I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France , and he said “Yes. And it’s real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can’t make the trip.” My heart was in my throat and I didn’t know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I’d take his in coach.

He said “No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy.” His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer.

There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center.

No wall to wall back to back 24 x 7 news coverage.

No weeping fans on television.

And that’s not right.

Let’s give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way.

Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

“A nation without heroes is nothing.” Roberto Clemente

Staff Sergeant Powers served with E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment (United States), 101st Airborne Division in World War II. Shifty was an original member of Easy Company, training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. Shifty’s hometown was Clinchco, Virginia, in Dickenson County.

Gabi Lange

Thank you for this touching article. So many in my family were fliers in WWII, young kids, under 20. It never fails to amaze me. Then there were the 3 aunts who were WAVES (nurses).
http://firefox AnnieCollier

A true American Hero. Where would we be now without their sacrifice?

My Uncle, Bud Holloway, was also in the 101st Ariborne though not attached to Easy Company. He passed away last year. When he came home, after being wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, he designed, built and raced hydroplanes…at one time holding the world’s record then at 103mph. Every boat he had was named Screamin’ Eagle. It as an experience that stayed with them for life and one that they were proud to have contributed. He was a 18y/o kid from a little town in Arkansas as was my Uncle Ben…with Patton’s Army. They never blinked when it came time to enlist. As civilians, they kept that pride of accomplishment and always aimed high.

Thank you Shifty. And Thank you NQ for posting his story, reminding us of what courageous men are really like.
TeakWoodKite

easy co. heroes -Band of brothers interviews

God speed Shifty. Your deeds are an inspiration to millions.
clare bee

Thank you for your service, Shifty and Godspeed!!!

My father-in-law was also barely 18 years old and had just graduated from high school when he joined the Army during WWII. He died of cancer in 1994.He was a very good man and never talked about his stint in Africa.
Many members of our greatest generation are dying out, silently into the night with no fanfare.

We should all remember and be grateful of their service.
Frikken’s Lunch Box

Thanks American Girl for posting this. It is hard not to get emotional when you read this and are reminded of what sacrifice people like Shifty will make for their country and for fellow human beings. I am humbled.
Phishmelt

Very excellent post.
socalannie

What a post! Fantastic story, thanks for sharing this. When my son was little, we met a naval fighter pilot from the Enterprise, that later became an Admiral. I recognized his insignia, and that he was wearing an aviator jacket, and I remember having the same kind of oh-my-god feeling that the writer describes when he told us who he was, because I had read about him many times. It’s sad that the WWII vets are slipping away. God speed Shifty.
helenk

God Speed and thank you for your service and inspiration.
The sacrifices made by the greatest generation should never be forgotten and we should be thankful for them.

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE
Glennmcgahee

Our National Psyche needs nore stories such as this so that we get our priorities straight. Honoring such a man who sacrificed and risked his life to defend the world’s citizens against true evil. These guys watched their comrades die in great numbers and kept going. What bravery! Yet, we honor pop stars and basketball players as heroes while they rake in the dough. Hopefully the youth of this country will start to learn American history and specifically, the men and women who made that history through stories like this. Question: where are the airports, schools and highways named after these heroes?
tzada

Godspeed, and tell my Daddy I love him and think of him everyday….
SoCalDem

There are so many WW11 stories, my father was 17 when he entered the military a day after Pearl Harbor. My Grandmother had six sons all of them served, one of my uncles was a prisoner of war for a number of years. They are all dead now, no fan fare except with the families. Both sides of my family fought in that war. Everyone of them came home, went on to have full and productive lives.
joker

Heros never die. They just go to a better place. When my Dad died I found in a box a flag from Japan. I was never able to ask him about it….
http://noquarter foxyladi14

God bless our heroes.
JRD

Godspeed, Shifty. Your loving courageous gift to every American humbles us all. From the bottom of my heart I sincerely thank you.
Portia Elizabeth

Rest in the peace you fought for and won, Shifty. Your deeds will live on and not be forgotten.
“Ye few, ye happy few, ye band of brothers…”
Brodie

R.I.P. Shifty, you were an American hero. Both of my parents were WWII vets. My mother was in the WRNs as an air raid warden during the Battle of Britain. Thanks for the great article!
Patience

Band of Brothers is one of my all-time favorites. I’ve watched it over and over but I’ll never forget the very first time — when the ending revealed that the witnesses we’d heard from before each episode were the actual soldiers portrayed! I was absolutely floored. I particularly remember one of Shifty’s comments, that while he was a soldier he felt he could do anything, but when he came home after the war he lost some of that confidence.

Where would we be without men and women as brave as Shifty? We owe them so much.
Peggy Sue

Wasn’t Shifty one of the men featured in Band of Brothers? I watched the series when it originally aired–thought it was fabulous. But it’s been awhile.

This is great story AGI. I’m glad the narrator recognized the monumental effort and sacrifice of someone like Shifty. My father [dead for several years] and his brothers [all deceased] and my father-in-law [82 and still kicking assholes out his way], made extraordinary sacrifices for this country and the world. In fact, the reason we’re posting on boards like NQ has a direct link to the sacrifices these men made willingly, without doubt or any apology.

I think it should put into perspective the idea of the current idol worship that is so often based on superficial attributes at best. My father and his brothers were hardly rock stars or members of royal families. They were working stiffs as is my father-in-law. But they left us a legacy, which is pretty hard to match.

God bless Shifty and all his once strong and fiesty comrades, A Band of Brothers.
Carolyn Nicholson

Thank you for this powerful tribute, not only to Mr. Powers, but to all the people of that generation who gave up a carefree youth to save such important things as freedom and truth. My father also served in World War II. He never spoke of what happened in Europe to us.

I know there was pride in what he did, but he could still remember the pain of those who were lost.

Bless you for posting this article and the beautiful selection from Youtube.